Portable terminal

ABSTRACT

To provide a portable terminal that exhibits high antenna performance and that enables structural simplification. 
     A portable terminal  10  can select a first state in which an upper housing  11  and a lower housing  12  are piled one on top of the other or a second state in which the upper housing  11  and the lower housing  12  are separated from each other, by relatively moving the upper housing  11  and the lower housing  12  through a joint section  13 . The portable terminal  10  has a third housing  25  that is joined to the lower housing  12  and that houses an antenna element  26 . When a second state is selected, the upper housing  11  contacts the third housing  25 , whereby the third housing  25  can move in a direction away from the upper housing  11.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a portable terminal having an antennaconnected to a communication section and that allows selection between aportable state (a first state) and an extended state (a second state) bymoving a first housing and a second housing.

BACKGROUND ART

A portable terminal serving as a portable flip radio is made up of anupper housing equipped with a receiver section and an LCD and a lowerhousing equipped with a transmitter section and operation keys, and canassume both configurations; namely, an extended state (a first state) inwhich the upper housing and the lower housing are opened and a portablestate (a second state) in which the upper housing and the lower housingare closed.

In this portable terminal, it is preferable to separate an antenna froma human body in a call state and not to cover the antenna with a handduring operation of keys. For these reasons, an optimum position wherean antenna section is placed is a hinge-side extremity of the lowerhousing.

However, when the antenna section is placed at the hinge, the upperhousing comes close to the antenna section in an extended state, whichmay degrade the performance of the antenna for reasons ofelectromagnetic coupling between the antenna and the upper housing.

A portable terminal configured so as to enable turning of an antenna insynchronism with operation for changing the upper housing and the lowerhousing from a portable state to an extended state has hitherto beenknown as a countermeasure against degradation in antenna performance.

When the portable terminal is brought into an extended state (a callstate) in which an upper housing and a lower housing are opened, anangle of the antenna is changed, so that the antenna is separated fromthe upper housing and that electromagnetic coupling with the upperhousing is reduced. Thus, high antenna performance can be assured.

In the meantime, when the portable terminal is brought into a portablestate in which the upper housing and the lower housing are closed, theantenna is held in the thickness of the portable terminal, therebypreventing an increase in thickness of the antenna section (forinstance, Patent Document 1).

Patent Document 1: JP-A-2003-318767

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problem that the Invention is to Solve

However, in order to separate the antenna from the upper housing whenthe upper housing and the lower housing are brought into an extendedstate and to hold the antenna in the thickness of the portable terminalwhen the portable terminal is brought into a portable state, theportable terminal of Patent Document 1 uses a plurality of gears, forinstance, as means for moving the antenna. Therefore, the number ofcomponents increases, which in turn impedes simplification of thestructure of the portable terminal.

The present invention has been conceived to solve the problem and aimsat providing a portable terminal that exhibits high antenna performanceand that enables structural simplification.

Means for Solving the Problem

An aspect of a portable terminal of the present invention is a portableterminal comprising: a first housing; a second housing joined to thefirst housing through a joint section, a first state in which the firsthousing and the second housing are piled one on top of the other and asecond state in which the first housing and the second housing areseparated from each other being achieved by relatively moving the firsthousing and the second housing through the joint section; and a thirdhousing that is joined to the second housing and that houses an antenna,wherein the first housing contacts the third housing in the secondstate, whereby the third housing moves in a direction away from thefirst housing.

When the portable terminal is in the second state, the first housingcontacts the third housing, thereby moving the third housing in adirection away from the first housing.

The antenna housed in the third housing is separated from the circuitboard housed in the first housing, whereby electromagnetic coupling islessened, and mismatching is reduced. Thus, high antenna performance canbe assured.

In addition, the portable terminal is configured such that, when theportable terminal is in the second state, the first housing is broughtinto contact with the third housing, thereby causing the first housingto move the third housing. Thus, the first housing is caused to doubleas means for moving the third housing, whereby the number of membersnewly prepared to move the third housing can be reduced, and thestructure of the portable terminal can be simplified.

The present invention also has a feature that the third housing isturnably joined to the second housing.

In such a portable terminal, the third housing is turnable with respectto the second housing. Hence, the structure for moving the third housingcan be simplified, and reliable operation is performed.

Further, the present invention also has a feature that the joint sectionhas a first pin orthogonal to a direction in which the first housing andthe second housing in the first state are piled one on top of the other;the third housing is joined to the second housing through a second pin;and the first pin and the second pin are parallel to each other.

The present invention also has a feature that the first pin and thesecond pin are arranged in line with each other.

In such a portable terminal, the first shaft and the second shaft arearranged in line with each other; hence, the overall thickness anddimension of the portable terminal achieved in the first state can bereduced.

Moreover, the present invention also has a feature in that the jointsection has a first pin orthogonal to a direction in which the firsthousing and the second housing in the first state are piled one on topof the other; and that the third housing is joined to the second housingthrough the first pin.

In such a portable terminal, the third housing is joined to the secondhousing through the first pin orthogonal to the direction in which thefirst housing and the second housing are piled one on top of the other,and hence the second pin becomes obviated, thereby reducing the numberof components.

The present invention has a feature the third housing is joined to thesecond housing so as to be slidable.

Even in such a portable terminal, the antenna housed in the thirdhousing is separated from the circuit board housed in the first housing,thereby reducing electromagnetic coupling and mismatching. Thus, highantenna performance can be assured.

The present invention has a feature characterized by further comprisinga connector for electrically connecting the second housing to theantenna, wherein the connector can follow movement of the third housingwith respect to the second housing.

The connector is made able to follow movement of the third housing withrespect to the second housing, whereby power feeding can be assured.

The present invention also has a feature that the connector has anelastic member that exhibits conductivity.

Since the connector has an elastic member exhibiting conductivity, afeeding state can be reliably assured.

The present invention also has a feature that the connector has aconductive rail provided on either the second housing or the thirdhousing and a conductive rolling member that rolls over the conductiverail.

The present invention also has a feature characterized by furthercomprising a return spring that restores the third housing to itsinitial position in the first state with respect to the second housing.

There is provided a return spring for restoring the third housing to itsinitial position, so that the third housing can be reliably returned tothe initial position when the portable terminal is in the first state.

Moreover, the third housing is reliably restored to its originalposition when the portable terminal is in the first state, whereby adesign benefit, which would be achieved in the first state, is yielded,and superior portability is attained.

Further, an aspect of the present invention is characterized by aportable terminal comprising: a first housing; a second housing joinedto the first housing through a joint section, a first state in which thefirst housing and the second housing are piled one on top of the otherand a second state in which the first housing and the second housing areseparated from each other being achieved by relatively moving the firsthousing and the second housing through the joint section; and a thirdhousing that is joined to the second housing and that houses an antenna,wherein the third housing is movable with respect to the second housingand arranged so as to form a step with regard to an outwardly-facingback side of the second housing.

Deterioration of an antenna characteristic, which would otherwise becaused when the portable terminal is placed on a (metal) table, isconceivable.

Therefore, the third housing is placed so as to produce a step withrespect to an outwardly-facing back side of the second housing.

When the portable terminal is placed on a table (made of metal)regardless of whether the portable terminal is in the first state or thesecond state, the antenna element is separated from the table, so thatdeterioration of the antenna characteristic can be reduced.

The present invention also has a feature characterized by a portableterminal comprising: a first housing; a second housing joined to thefirst housing through a joint section, a first state in which the firsthousing and the second housing are piled one on top of the other and asecond state in which the first housing and the second housing areseparated from each other being achieved by relatively moving the firsthousing and the second housing through the joint section; and a thirdhousing that is joined to the second housing and that houses an antenna,wherein the third housing is movable with respect to the second housing,and a relative position of the third housing with regard to the secondhousing is restricted.

In order to assure an antenna characteristic, it is desirable toseparate the third housing from the first housing. However, there is avalue optimum for the dimension of separation between the third housingand the first housing.

Specifically, when the antenna element and the circuit board housed inthe first housing are electromagnetically coupled together, a changearises in impedance, so that a mismatching loss increases.

When the antenna element and the circuit board of the first housing areelectromagnetically coupled together, an antenna current is distributedover the first housing, which in turn results in an increase in antennavolume and an improvement in gain.

In the meantime, when the antenna element and the circuit board of thefirst housing are in too close proximity to each other, an increase inmismatching loss becomes dominant, which in turn deteriorates antennagain.

When the antenna element and the circuit board of the first housing aretoo separated from each other, an improvement effect attributable to anincrease in antenna volume is not yielded.

Therefore, it is preferable to fix the antenna at a distance at which anoptimum balance between the changes is achieved.

Accordingly, a superior antenna characteristic is obtained by regulatingthe relative position of the third housing with respect to the secondhousing.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION

When the portable terminal of the present invention selects the secondstate, the first housing contacts the third housing, thereby moving thethird housing in a direction away from the first housing, therebyyielding an advantage of the ability to yield high antenna performanceand achieve structural simplification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a portable terminal (afirst embodiment) of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a front view showing a second state of a portable terminal ofa first embodiment; FIG. 2B is a rear view showing a second state of theportable terminal of the first embodiment; and FIG. 2C is a side viewshowing the second state of the portable terminal of the firstembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a principal-section enlarged view of the portable terminal ofthe first embodiment in the second state when viewed from the rear.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A shown in FIG. 3,and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B shown in FIG.3.

FIG. 5A is a front view showing a first state of the portable terminalof the first embodiment; FIG. 5B is a rearview showing the first stateof the portable terminal of the first embodiment; and FIG. 5C is a sideview showing the first state of the portable terminal of the firstembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a principal-section enlarged view of the portable terminal ofthe first embodiment in the first state when viewed from the rear.

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C shown in FIG. 6,and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D shown in FIG.6.

FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C are views for explaining operation of an antennasection of the portable terminal of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a principal-section enlarged view showing a second state ofthe portable terminal (a second embodiment) of the present invention.

FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E shown in FIG. 9and FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along line F-F shown inFIG. 9.

FIG. 11A is a perspective view showing a first state of a portableterminal of a first modification, and FIG. 11B is a perspective viewshowing a second state of the portable terminal of the firstmodification.

FIG. 12A is a perspective view showing a first state of a portableterminal of a second modification, and FIG. 12B is a perspective viewshowing a second state of the portable terminal of the secondmodification.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a first state of a portableterminal of a third modification.

FIG. 14A is a perspective view showing a first state of a portableterminal of a fourth modification, and FIG. 14B is a perspective viewshowing a second state of the portable terminal of the firstmodification.

FIG. 15A is a front view showing a second state of the portable terminal(the third embodiment) of the present invention, FIG. 15B is a rear viewshowing the second state of the portable terminal of the thirdembodiment, and FIG. 15C is a side view showing the second state of theportable terminal of the third embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a principal-section enlarged view of the portable terminal ofthe third embodiment in the second state when viewed from the rear.

FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view taken along line G-G shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a principal-section enlarged view of the portable terminal ofthe third embodiment in the first state when viewed from the rear.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line H-H shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a principal-section enlarged view of a portable terminal (afourth embodiment) of the present invention in the first state whenviewed from the rear.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I shown in FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a principal-section enlarged view of the portable terminal(the fourth embodiment) of the present invention in the second statewhen viewed from the rear.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line J-J shown in FIG. 22.

FIG. 24A is a perspective view showing a first state of a portableterminal of a fifth modification, and FIG. 24B is a perspective viewshowing a second state of the portable terminal of the fifthmodification.

FIG. 25A is a perspective view showing a first state of a portableterminal of a sixth modification, and FIG. 25B is a perspective viewshowing a second state of the portable terminal of the sixthmodification.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing a second state of a portableterminal of a seventh modification.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing a second state of a portableterminal of an eighth modification.

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   10, 40, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 70, 80, 82, 84, 86 PORTABLE TERMINAL    -   11 UPPER HOUSING (FIRST HOUSING)    -   12 LOWER HOUSING (SECOND HOUSING)    -   13, 47A, 48A, 49A, 82A, 84A, 86A JOINT SECTION    -   14, 44, 46A, 47B, 48B, 49B SECOND SHAFT    -   15, 51, 71 ANTENNA SECTION    -   19 UPPER CIRCUIT BOARD (CIRCUIT BOARD)    -   22 COMMUNICATION SECTION    -   25, 52 THIRD HOUSING    -   26, 53 ANTENNA ELEMENT (ANTENNA)    -   28, 42 FIRST AXIS    -   56, 72 CONNECTOR    -   57 RETURN SPRINT (ELASTIC MEMBER)    -   74 CONDUCTIVE RAIL    -   75 CONDUCTIVE ROLLER (CONDUCTIVE ROLLING MEMBER)

BEST MODES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION First Embodiment

Portable terminals of embodiments of the present invention will behereinbelow described by reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, a portable terminal 10 of a firstembodiment is a clamshell portable terminal that has an upper housing (afirst housing) 11, a lower housing (a second housing) 12 turnably joinedto the upper housing 11 through a joint section 13, and an antennasection 15 joined to the lower housing 12 through a second shaft (asecond shaft for feeding power) 14; and that is configured so as to beable to select a first state (a portable state: see FIG. 5) in which theupper housing 11 remains folded over the lower housing 12 or a secondstate (an extended state: see FIG. 2) in which the upper housing 11 andthe lower housing 12 are separated from each other, by relatively movingthe upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12 through the joint section13.

When the portable terminal 10 is used as a portable telephone, theportable terminal 10 is set in the second state (i.e., a call state).

A display section 17 and a receiver section 18 are provided on a surfaceof the upper housing 11, and an upper circuit board (a circuit board) 19is housed in the upper housing.

An upper joint region 13A of the joint section 13 is made at a lower endof the upper housing 11.

An operation section 20 and a transmitter section 21 are provided on asurface of the lower housing 12, and a communication section (a matchingcircuit) 22 and a lower circuit substrate 23 are housed in the lowerhousing.

Lower joint regions 13B of the joint section 13 are formed at an upperend of the lower housing 12.

An antenna section 15 is joined to the lower housing 12 through a secondpin 14. The antenna section 15 has a third housing 25 made of a resin,and an antenna element (antenna) 26 is housed in the third housing 25.The antenna element 26 is connected to the communication section 22through the second pin 14.

The portable terminal 10 is configured such that the third housing 25can move in a direction apart from the upper housing 11 as a result ofthe upper housing 11 contacting the third housing 25 when the upperhousing 11 and the lower housing 12 are in the second state.

The joint section 13 has a pair of first pins 28 orthogonal to a pilingdirection in which the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12 in thefirst state shown in FIG. 5 are piled one on top of the other.

The upper joint region 13A and the pair of lower joint regions 13B areturnably joined together by the pair of first pins 28.

The third housing 25 is turnably joined to the lower housing 12 throughthe second pin 14 and an auxiliary second pin 29.

The second pin 14, the auxiliary second pin 29, and the pair of firstpins 28 are provided in parallel and in line with each other.

Specifically, the third housing 25 is joined to the pair of lower jointregions 13B formed on the lower housing 12 through the second pin 14 andthe auxiliary second pin 29, and protrudes upward from an upper end 12Aof the lower housing 12.

The auxiliary second pin 29 is arranged at a position that ishorizontally symmetrical with respect to the second pin 14, and joinsthe antenna section 15 to the pair of lower joint regions 13B. Theauxiliary second pin 29 is not connected to the communication section22.

The third housing 25 is supported by the two second pins 14; namely, thesecond pin 14 and the auxiliary second pin 29, whereby the second pins14 can be made small, and a characteristic superior to that achieved inthe case of one second pin 14 can be properly held.

In the meantime, the second pin 14 is electrically connected to thecommunication section 22 by means of a feeding element 32. The feedingelement 32 is connected to second pin metal piece 14A (see FIG. 3) thatis a component making up the second pin 14.

The antenna element 26 is connected to second pin metal piece 14B (seeFIG. 3) that is a component making up the second pin 14.

Therefore, the antenna element 26 and the communication section 22 areelectrically connected together through the second pin 14. Further, thelower housing 12 (specifically, the pair of lower joint regions 13B) ismade of, as an example, a resin; and hence the second pin 14 and thelower housing 12 are held in an electrically-unconnected state.

As shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C, in the first state of the portableterminal 10, the antenna section 15 protrudes upward from the upperhousing 11 and the lower housing 12 and is inclined at an angle of 30degrees, as an inclination angle α, toward the upper housing 12 withrespect to the back side of the lower housing 12.

In this state, an extremity 26A of the antenna element 26 is locatedcloser to the upper housing 11 than to the lower housing 12.

In the first state of the portable terminal 10, the antenna section 15is housed in a thickness consisting of the upper housing 11 and thelower housing 12. Therefore, in the first state of the portable terminal10, the antenna section 15 is prevented from protruding in athicknesswise direction of the portable terminal 10.

As shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 7A and 7B, a spring member 37 is provided inthe second pin 14 (specifically, the second pin metal piece 14B). Thespring member 37 is connected to the second pin metal piece 14B and arotary shaft 38.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the rotary shaft 38 is fixed to the lowerhousing 12 through the second pin metal piece 14A and does not effectrotation even when the antenna section 15 is rotated.

Meanwhile, the second pin metal piece 14B is embedded in the antennasection 15 and rotated along with the antenna section 15.

As shown in FIG. 4A, even when the portable terminal is in the secondstate, a lower end angular section 11A of the upper housing 11 contactsa contact section 35 provided in the antenna section 15, and the antennasection 15 also contacts a stopper 36 provided on the lower housing 12.

In this state, the antenna section 15 protrudes outward in excess of theback side 12C of the lower housing 12, and the antenna section 15 isheld apart from the upper housing 11. Therefore, the antenna section 15can be held apart from the upper circuit board 19.

By separating the antenna element 26 from the upper circuit board 19,electromagnetic coupling between the antenna element and the uppercircuit board is diminished, so that high antenna performance can beassured.

In addition, the position of the third housing 25 relative to the lowerhousing 12 is appropriately regulated by the stopper 36, whereby a muchsuperior antenna characteristic can be obtained.

Next, operations of the antenna section 15 responsive to the opening andclosing actions of the portable terminal 10 will be described byreference to FIGS. 8A to 8C.

First, an example achieved in a second state (a call state) in which theportable terminal 10 is opened will be described by reference to FIGS.8A to 8C.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the upper housing 11 is opened in the direction ofan arrow while the joint section 13 is taken as an axis. As shown inFIG. 8B, the lower end angular section 11A of the upper housing 11contacts the contact section 35 provided on the antenna section 15,thereby starting to push the antenna section 15 toward the back side 12Cof the lower housing 12 as indicated by an arrow.

Since the antenna section 15 is turnably joined to the lower housing 12by means of the second pin 14 and the auxiliary second pin 29, theantenna section 15 is pushed by the upper housing 11, to thus swaytoward the back side 12C of the lower housing 12.

The second pin metal piece 14B is rotated in conjunction with theantenna section 15. Since the rotary shaft 38 does not rotate at thistime, the spring member 37 is extended along with rotation of theantenna section 15; namely, rotation of the second pin metal piece 14B.

As shown in FIG. 8C, when the upper housing 11 is opened through apredetermined angle (an open angle β is 165 degrees); namely, to aposition of the second state, the antenna section 15 contacts thestopper 36 provided on the lower housing 12, to thus come to astandstill.

The portable terminal 10 is held in the second state (a call state). Theantenna section 15 protrudes outward in excess of the back side 12C ofthe lower housing 12, and in this state the antenna section 15 is heldapart from the upper housing 11. Therefore, the antenna section 15 movesaway from the upper circuit board 19.

Since the upper circuit board 19 is equal to a ground from ahigh-frequency viewpoint, electromagnetic coupling arises when the uppercircuit board approaches the antenna element 26, which in turn becomes afactor for deteriorating antenna performance.

Accordingly, the antenna element 26 is separated from the upper circuitboard 19 when the portable terminal 10 is in the second state, therebyreducing electromagnetic coupling between the antenna element and theupper circuit board and assuring high antenna performance.

Incidentally, the third housing 25 is turnably joined to the lowerhousing 12 through the second pin 14 and the auxiliary second pin 29.

Thus, when the third housing 25 is of a turnable type, the second pinmetal piece 14A and the antenna element 26 become stationary; hence, astable characteristic is attained.

Moreover, as a result of the portable terminal 10 being held in thesecond state (the call state), the spring member 37 is held in anextended state. Although the spring member 37 attempts to contract inthis state, the spring member 37 is held in an extended state becausethe upper housing 11 keeps the antenna section 15 in a standstill.

An example first state achieved by closing the portable terminal 10 willnow be described by reference to FIGS. 8C and 8A.

The upper housing 11 moves away from the antenna section 15 by closingthe upper housing 11 from the state shown in FIG. 8C to the state shownin FIG. 8A.

The second pin metal piece 14B is turned toward the upper housing 11 byspring force of the spring member 37. The antenna section 15 is alsoturned toward the upper housing 11 in synchronism with the second pinmetal piece 14B. The antenna section 15 is fixed to a position where theangle α between the antenna element 26 and the back side 12C of thelower housing 12 is 30 degrees. Specifically, the antenna section 15automatically returns to a predetermined position (a position shown inFIG. 8A) by spring force of the spring member 37 housed in the secondpin 14.

As mentioned above, in the first state of the portable terminal 10, anangle is imparted to the antenna element 26, whereby the third housing25 is arranged so as to create a step with respect to theoutwardly-oriented back side (a rear surface) 12C of the lower housing12.

Therefore, when the upper housing 11 is placed upside on a desk, or thelike, the antenna element 26 becomes apart from the desk, so that highantenna performance can be assured.

The portable terminal 10 can be held thin in the first state by holdingthe antenna section 15 within the thickness consisting of the upperhousing 11 and the lower housing 12.

Moreover, movement of the antenna section 15 is synchronized to openingand closing actions of the portable terminal 10, and hence a user doesnot need to actuate the antenna section 15.

In addition, the portable terminal 10 is configured so as to bring theupper housing 11 into contact with the third housing 25 and move thethird housing 25 by the upper housing 11 when the second state isselected.

As mentioned above, since the upper housing 11 is caused to double asmeans for moving the third housing 25, the number of members newlyprepared for moving the third housing 25 can be reduced, and thestructure of the portable terminal 10 can be simplified.

In the first embodiment, a housing hinge is configured so as to join theupper housing and the lower housing together, but the housing hinge mayalso join the antenna section and the upper housing together. Since thesecond pin 14 joints the antenna section to the lower housing, the upperhousing and the lower housing are joined together through the second pin14 and the housing hinge in this case.

In the first embodiment, the structure using the spring member 37 isdescribed as means for automatically moving the position of the antennaposition 15 in synchronism with closing action of the upper housing 11.However, the means is not restricted to the structure. For instance, astructure embodied by combination of a cam and a gear with a springmember may also be adopted, so long as the structure allows movement ofthe position of the antenna section 15.

Moreover, in the first embodiment, it is preferable to use a materialmade of rubber as a material for the contact section 35 that the upperhousing 11 contacts. Since the upper housing 11 frequently contacts thecontact section 35, the surface of the antenna section 15 can beprotected from flaws by making the contact section of a rubber material.

The first embodiment describes an example in which the third housing 25is supported by two second pins; namely, the second pin 14 and theauxiliary second pin 29. However, the present invention is not limitedto the example. The third housing 25 can also be supported by one secondpin.

Second through fourth embodiments and first through eighth modificationsof the portable terminal will now be described by reference to FIGS. 9through 27. In the second through fourth embodiments and the firstthrough eighth modifications, members analogous to those of the portableterminal 10 described in connection with the first embodiment areassigned the same reference numerals, and their explanations areomitted.

Second Embodiment

A portable terminal 40 of a second embodiment shown in FIGS. 9, 10A and10B has a pair of first pins 42 used for joining the upper housing 11and the lower housing 12 together and joining the antenna member 15 tothe lower housing 12, and is structurally equal to its counterpart ofthe first embodiment in other respects.

The pair of first pins 42 are arranged so as to be orthogonal to adirection in which the upper housing 11 folds up the lower housing 12,in a first state of the portable terminal 40, and the third housing 25of the antenna section 15 is joined to the lower housing 12.

Of the pair of first pin 42, the one first pin 42 is made up of a firstpin main body 43, a second pin 44, and a rotary shaft 45 for rotatablyjoining the first pin main body 43 to the second pin 44; and the otherfirst pin 42 is made up of the first pin main body 43, the second pin44, and the rotary shaft 45 for rotatably joining the first pin mainbody 43 to the second pin 44.

The first pin 42 and the other first pin 42 are members that areessentially symmetrical with each other.

In the one first pin 42, the first pin main body 43 and the second pin44 respectively exhibit high electrical conductivity and areelectrically connected together.

Further, in the one first pin 42, the rotary shaft 45 and the second pin44 are connected together by means of the spring member 37. In addition,in the one first pin 42, the antenna element 26 in the antenna section15 is electrically connected to the second pin 44.

In the other first pin 42, the first pin main body 43 and the second pin44 are held in an electrically-unconnected state.

Moreover, in the other first pin 42, the antenna element 26 in theantenna section 15 is held in an unconnected to the second pin 44.

The portable terminal 40 of the second embodiment can yield the sameadvantage as that yielded by the portable terminal 10 of the firstembodiment.

In addition, the portable terminal 40 of the second embodiment yields anadvantage of the ability to join the upper housing 11 to the lowerhousing 12 by use of the pair of first pins 42 and join the antennamember 15 to the lower housing 12, thereby making an attempt to reducethe number of components.

Next, first through fourth modifications of the first and secondembodiments will be described by reference to FIGS. 11A through 14B. Aportable terminal 46 of the first modification shown in FIGS. 11A and11B is a slide-type portable terminal that switches between the firststate and the second state by sliding the upper housing 11 with respectto the lower housing 12.

The third housing 25 of the antenna section 15 is turnably joined to thelower housing 12 through a second pin 46A as in the first and secondembodiments.

As shown in FIG. 11A, in the portable terminal 46, the upper housing 11contacts a projecting angular section 25A of the third housing 25 as aresult of the upper housing 11 being slid in the direction of the arrow,thereby pushing down the projecting angular section 25A toward the backside 12C of the lower housing 12.

As a result, the third housing 25 sways toward the back side 12C of thelower housing 12 while taking the second pin 46A as an axis, asindicated by the arrow.

As a result of the third housing 25 swaying toward the back side 12C ofthe lower housing 12, the third housing 25 can be placed at a positionapart from the upper housing 11 when the portable terminal 46 is in thesecond state, as shown in FIG. 1 l B.

Specifically, as in the first and second embodiments, the portableterminal 46 of the first modification is configured in such a way thatthe third housing 25 can move in a direction apart from the upperhousing 11 as a result of the upper housing 11 contacting the thirdhousing 25 when the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12 are in thesecond state.

As a result, the portable terminal 46 of the first modification yieldsthe same advantages as those yielded in the first and secondembodiments.

A portable terminal 47 that is a second modification shown in FIGS. 12Aand 12B is a rotary portable terminal that switches between the firststate and the second state by rotating the upper housing 11 with respectto the lower housing 12 while the first pin 47A is taken as an axis.

The third housing 25 of the antenna section 15 is turnably joined to thelower housing 12 through the second pin 47B as in the first and secondembodiments.

As shown in FIG. 12A, in the portable terminal 47, the upper housing 11is rotated in the direction of an arrow while the first pin 47A is takenas an axis, whereupon the upper housing 11 contacts the protrudingangular section 25A of the third housing 25, thereby pushing down theprotruding angular section 25A toward the back side 12C of the lowerhousing 12.

As a result, the third housing 25 sways toward the back side 12C of thelower housing 12 while taking the second pin 47B as an axis, asindicated by the arrow.

As a result of the third housing 25 swaying toward the back side 12C ofthe lower housing 12, the third housing 25 can be placed at a positionapart from the upper housing 11 when the portable terminal 47 is in thesecond state, as shown in FIG. 12B.

Specifically, the portable terminal 47 of the second modification isconfigured, as in the first and second embodiments, such that, when theupper housing 11 and the lower housing 12 are in the second state, theupper housing 11 contacts the third housing 25, thereby enabling thethird housing 25 to move in a direction away from the upper housing 11.

The portable terminal 47 of the second modification thereby yields thesame advantage as that yielded in the first and second embodiments.

A portable terminal 48 of a third modification shown in FIG. 13 is aclamshell portable terminal in which the upper housing 11 can fold overthe lower housing 12 while taking the first pin 48A as an axis and inwhich the third housing 25 of the antenna section 15 is turnably joinedto the lower housing 12 through a second pin 48B.

A first pin 48A and the second pin 48B are separate members, and thefirst pin 48A and the second pin 48B are arranged in parallel to eachother.

In the portable terminal 48, the upper housing 11 is opened to thesecond state in the direction of an arrow while the first pin 48A istaken as an axis, whereupon the upper housing 11 contacts the protrudingangular section 25A of the third housing 25, thereby pushing down theprotruding angular section 25A toward the back side 12C of the lowerhousing 12.

The third housing 25 thereby sways toward the back side 12C of the lowerhousing 12 as indicated by the arrow while taking the second pin 48B asan axis.

As a result of the third housing 25 swaying toward the back side 12C ofthe lower housing 12, the third housing 25 can be placed at a positionaway from the upper housing 11 when the portable terminal 47 is in thesecond state.

Specifically, the portable terminal 48 of the third modification isconfigured, as in the first and second embodiments, such that, when theupper housing 11 and the lower housing 12 are in the second state, thethird housing 25 can move in a direction away from the upper housing 11as a result of the upper housing 11 contacting the third housing 25.

The portable terminal 48 of the third modification thereby yields theadvantage similar to those yielded by the first and second embodiments.

A portable terminal 49 of a fourth modification shown in FIGS. 14A and14B is a clamshell portable terminal in which the upper housing 11 canfold over the lower housing 12 by taking a first pin 49A as an axis andin which the third housing 25 of the antenna section 15 is turnablyjoined to the lower housing 12 through a second pin 49B.

The third housing 25 of the antenna section 15 is turnably joined to thelower housing 12 through the second pin 49B. The second pin 49B is a pinarranged so as to face a direction orthogonal to the first pin 49A.

In the portable terminal 49, the upper housing 11 is turned in thedirection of an arrow while the first pin 49A is taken as an axis asshown in FIG. 14A, whereby the upper housing 11 contacts the protrudingangular section 25A of the third housing 25, to thus push down theprotruding angular section 25A toward the back side 12C of the lowerhousing 12.

The third housing 25 thereby sways toward the back side 12C of the lowerhousing 12 while taking the second pin 49B as an axis, as indicated bythe arrow.

As a result of the third housing 25 swaying toward the back side 12C ofthe lower housing 12 as shown in FIG. 14B, the third housing 25 can beplaced at a position away from the upper housing 11 when the portableterminal 49 is in the second state.

Specifically, the portable terminal 49 of the fourth modification isconfigured, as in the first and second embodiments, such that, when theupper housing 11 and the lower housing 12 are in the second state, thethird housing 25 can move in a direction away from the upper housing 11as a result of the upper housing 11 contacting the third housing 25.

The portable terminal 49 of the fourth modification thereby yields anadvantage analogous to those yielded in the first and secondembodiments.

Portable terminals of third and fourth embodiments will now be describedby reference to FIGS. 15A through 23.

Third Embodiment

A portable terminal 50 of a third embodiment shown in FIGS. 15A through19 has a third housing 52 of an antenna section 51 joined to the lowerhousing 12 so as to be able to perform translation and is structurallyidentical, in other respects, with its counterpart described inconnection with the first embodiment.

The antenna section 51 has the third housing 52, an antenna element 53affixed to an interior wall of the third housing 52, and a contactsection 63 provided on the third housing 52.

The contact section 63 is preferably made of rubber. Since the lower endangular section 11A of the upper housing 11 frequently contacts thecontact section 63, the surface of the third housing 52 can be protectedby forming the contact section 63 from rubber.

The upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12 are turnably joined by apair of first pins 54, and the portable terminal 50 can assume both theform achieved in the second state and the form achieved in the firststate by turning the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12 aroundthe coaxially-arranged first pins 54.

The portable terminal 50 has a connector 56 for electrically connectingthe lower housing 12 to the third housing 52 and is configured such thatthe connector 56 can follow movement of the third housing 52 withrespect to the lower housing 12.

The connector 56 has a return spring (an elastic member) 57 that returnsthe third housing 52 to an initial position with respect to the lowerhousing 12 in the first state and a feeding element 59 that iselectrically connected to the return spring 57 and connected to thecommunication section (a matching circuit) 22.

The return spring 57 can exhibit electrical conductivity by use of acoil spring made from metal.

A leaf spring can also be used in place of the coil spring made frommetal.

The third housing 52 is a box-shaped resin case provided at a positionon the lower housing 12 close to the first shaft 28.

The antenna element 53 is affixed to an interior wall of the thirdhousing 52. The antenna element 53 and the feeding element 59 affixed tothe lower housing 12 are electrically connected together by means of thereturn spring 57 exhibiting electrical conductivity.

One end of the feeding element 59 is electrically connected to thecommunication section (the matching circuit) 22. The antenna element 53is thus connected to the communication section 22 through the returnspring 57 and the feeding element 59.

A contact section 61 that the upper housing 11 contacts when in thesecond state is provided on an upper end 52A of the third housing 52.

Operation of the antenna section 51 responsive to opening and closingactions of the portable terminal 50 will now be described by referenceto FIGS. 19 and 17.

The portable terminal 50 shown in FIG. 19 is closed in the first state.The third housing 52 of the antenna section 51 is placed in the lowerhousing 12 and held in a state in which the third housing does notprotrude in a thicknesswise direction.

In FIG. 19, the third housing 52 of the antenna section 51 ispositioned, through example, so as to become flush with the back side12C of the lower housing 12.

In this state, the return spring 57 that connects the antenna element 53to the feeding element 59 is held in a state in which the spring doesnot expand or contract.

In this state, the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12 are broughtinto the second state as shown in FIG. 17, whereby the lower end angularsection 11A of the upper housing 11 presses the contact section 63 ofthe antenna section 51.

The upper housing 11 pushes the third housing 52 toward the back side12C of the lower housing 12, and the third housing 52 protrudes outsidefrom the back side 12C of the lower housing 12.

In association with movement of the third housing 52, the return spring57 is compressed between an interior wall 12B of the lower housing 12and the antenna element 53.

When the portable terminal 50 is in the second state, the third housing52 is held in a state of protruding outside from the back side 12C ofthe lower housing 12.

Thereby, the antenna element 53 moves away from the upper housing 11,and electromagnetic coupling between the antenna element and the uppercircuit board 19 is diminished, whereby high antenna performance isattained.

The contracted return spring 57 undergoes spring force for returning thethird housing 52 to its normal position. However, since the upperhousing 11 is held in the second state, the return spring 57 is held ina contracted state.

As shown in FIG. 19, as a result of the upper housing 11 being closed inthis state, the upper housing 11 moves away from the third housing 52.

The third housing 52 is moved toward the upper housing 11 by means ofthe spring force of the return spring 57, to thus be pushed back to theinside of the lower housing 12.

Specifically, when the upper housing 11 is closed, the antenna section51 is automatically placed in the lower housing 12, whereby the portableterminal can be made compact and easy to carry.

Moreover, movement of the antenna section 51, which would be performedin the open and closed states, is carried out in synchronism withopening and closing actions of the portable terminal 50; hence, the userdoes not separately operate the antenna section 51.

In addition, the portable terminal 50 is configured in such a way that,when the portable terminal is in the second state, the upper housing 11is brought into contact with the third housing 52, thereby moving thethird housing 52 by means of the upper housing 11.

Thus, the upper housing 11 is caused to double as means for moving thethird housing 52, whereby the number of components newly prepared formoving the third housing 52 can be reduced, and the structure of theportable terminal 50 can be simplified.

As mentioned above, the portable terminal 50 of the third embodiment canyield an advantage similar to that yielded by the portable terminal 10of the first embodiment.

In addition, in the portable terminal 50 of the third embodiment, thethird housing 52 is of a slide type that performs sliding action, andhence the second pin 14 for feeding purpose can be obviated.Accordingly, the configuration of the antenna feeding section is simple,and a characteristic superior to that achieved by the portable terminalsof turnable type described in connection with the first and secondembodiments can be maintained.

Fourth Embodiment

A portable terminal 70 of a fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 20 to 23has a conductive rail 74 with a connector 72 of an antenna section 71provided in the lower housing 12 and a conductive roller (a conductiverolling member) 75 that rolls over the conductive rail 74; and isstructurally identical with its counterpart of the first embodiment inother respects.

The conductive roller 75 is connected to an extremity of the antennaelement 53.

In the meantime, the conductive rail 74 is connected to an extremity ofthe feeding element 59. The conductive roller 75 and the conductive rail74 remain in contact with each other at all times, and power is fed fromthe communication section (the matching circuit) 22 to the antennaelement 53 through the conductive rail 74 and the conductive roller 75.

Even when the antenna section 71 is moved by opening and closing actionsof the portable terminal 70 performed in a closed state of the portableterminal 70 shown in FIG. 21 and an open state of the portable terminal70 shown in FIG. 23, the conductive roller 75 moves over the conductiverail 74, whereby the conductive rail and the conductive roller are heldin contact with each other at all times, and stable feeding is achieved.

When the portable terminal 70 is opened in the second state, the thirdhousing 52 of the antenna section 71 is pushed by the lower end angularsection 11A of the upper housing 11, to thus perform translating actionand automatically move.

The portable terminal 70 of the fourth embodiment does not have a returnspring, such as that shown in FIGS. 17 and 19.

Therefore, when the portable terminal 70 is closed in the first state,the third housing 52 must be manually returned to its original position.

In order to automatically return the third housing 52 to its originalposition even when the upper housing 11 is closed, the essentialrequirement is to provide the interior wall 12B of the lower housing 12with a return spring as in the third embodiment.

Another requirement is to bring the conductive roller 75 into contactwith the return spring when the upper housing 11 is opened, to thuscause the return spring to contract; and to press the conductive roller75 by means of spring force of the return spring when the upper housing11 is closed, to thus return the third housing 52 to its originalposition.

As described above, the portable terminal 70 of the fourth embodimentcan yield an advantage similar to that yielded by the portable terminal50 of the third embodiment.

Moreover, the slide-rail-type portable terminal of the fourth embodimentcan enhance durability than does a spring member and flexible wiring.

The fourth embodiment has described the case where the lower housing 12is provided with the conductive rail 74 and the conductive roller 75.However, the present invention is not limited to the case, and the thirdhousing 52 can also be provided with the conductive rail 74.

In the fourth embodiment, the conductive roller 75 is formed into acircular shape, but the conductive roller yields the same advantage evenwhen formed into a semicircular shape.

Moreover, the feeding element 59 and the antenna element 53 can beelectrically connected together by use of flexible wiring or a slider inplace of the conductive rail 74 and the conductive roller 75 of theconnector 72.

Fifth to eight modifications of the third and fourth embodiments willnow be described by reference to FIGS. 24A to 27.

A portable terminal 80 of a fifth modification shown in FIGS. 24A and24B is a slide-type portable terminal that switches between a firststate and a second state by sliding the upper housing 11 with respect tothe lower housing 12.

The third housing 52 of the antenna section 51 is joined to the lowerhousing 12 so as to be slidable as in the third and fourth embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 24A, in the portable terminal 80, the upper housing 11is slid in the direction of an arrow, whereby the upper housing 11contacts the protruding angular section 52B of the third housing 52,thereby pushing down the protruding angular section 52B toward the backside 12C of the lower housing 12.

The third housing 52 thereby translates with respect to the lowerhousing 12 as indicated by an arrow. As a result of the third housing 52translating toward the back side 12C of the lower housing 12, the thirdhousing 52 can be placed at a position away from the upper housing 11when the portable terminal 80 is in the second state, as shown in FIG.24B.

In the portable terminal 80 of the fifth modification, when the upperhousing 11 and the lower housing 12 are in the second state, the upperhousing 11 contacts the third housing 52 as in the third and fourthembodiments, so that the third housing 52 can move in a direction awayfrom the upper housing 11.

The portable terminal 80 of the fifth modification can thereby yield anadvantage similar to those yielded in the third and fourth embodiments.

A portable terminal 82 of a sixth modification shown in FIGS. 25A and25B is a rotary-type portable terminal that switches between the firststate and the second state by rotating the upper housing 11 with respectto the lower housing 12 while taking a first pin 82A as an axis.

The third housing 52 of the antenna section 51 is joined to the lowerhousing 12 so as to be slidable as in the third and fourth embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 25A, in the portable terminal 82, the upper housing 11is rotated in a direction of an arrow while the first pin 82A is takenas an axis, whereby the upper housing 11 contacts the protruding angularsection 52B of the third housing 52, thereby pushing down the protrudingangular section 52B toward the back side 12C of the lower housing 12.

As a result, the third housing 52 translates with respect to the lowerhousing 12 as indicated by an arrow. As a result of the third housing 52translating toward the back side 12C of the lower housing 12, the thirdhousing 52 can be placed at a location away from the upper housing 11when the portable terminal 82 is in the second state, as shown in FIG.25B.

Specifically, the portable terminal 82 of the sixth modification isconfigured, as in the third and fourth embodiments, such that, when theupper housing 11 and the lower housing 12 are in the second state, theupper housing 11 contacts the third housing 52, so that the thirdhousing 52 can move in a direction away from the upper housing 11.

The portable terminal 82 of the sixth modification thereby yields anadvantage similar to those yielded in the third and fourth embodiments.

In a portable terminal 84 of a seventh modification shown in FIG. 26,the upper housing 11 can fold over the lower housing 12 while taking afirst pin 84A as an axis, and the third housing 52 of the antennasection 51 is joined to the lower housing 12 so as to be slidable (in adirection of an arrow) through a slide section 84B.

In the portable terminal 84, the upper housing 11 is opened to thesecond state while the first pin 84A is taken as an axis, and the upperhousing 11 contacts the third housing 52, thereby pushing the thirdhousing 52 in a direction of an arrow.

When the portable terminal 84 is in the second state, the third housing52 can be moved in parallel to a location apart from the upper housing11.

Specifically, the portable terminal 84 of the seventh modification isconfigured, as in the third and fourth embodiments, such that, when theupper housing 11 and the lower housing 12 are in the second state, theupper housing 11 contacts the third housing 52, so that the thirdhousing 52 can move in a direction away from the upper housing 11.

The portable terminal 84 of the seventh modification thereby yields anadvantage similar to those yielded in the third and fourth embodiments.

In a portable terminal 86 of an eighth modification shown in FIG. 27,the upper housing 11 can fold over the lower housing 12 while taking afirst pin 86A as an axis, and the third housing 52 of the antennasection 51 is joined to the lower housing 12 so as to be slidable (in adirection of an arrow).

In the portable terminal 86, the upper housing 11 is opened to thesecond state while the first pin 86A is taken as an axis, the upperhousing 11 contacts the third housing 52, thereby pushing the thirdhousing 52 in the direction of the arrow. When the portable terminal 86is in the second state, the third housing 52 can thereby translate overthe third housing 52 to a position away from the upper housing 11.

Specifically, the portable terminal 86 of the eighth modification isconfigured, as in the third and fourth embodiments, such that, when theupper housing 11 and the lower housing 12 are in the second state, theupper housing 11 contacts the third housing 52, so that the thirdhousing 52 can move in a direction away from the upper housing 11.

The portable terminal 86 of the eighth modification thereby yields anadvantage similar to those yielded in the third and fourth embodiments.

Although the first through fourth embodiments exemplify the upperhousing 11 made of a resin, an upper housing made of metal can also beused.

When the upper housing 11 made of a resin is used, it is important toseparate the antenna element away from the upper circuit board (a metalground). However, in the case of a metal upper housing, it becomesimportant to separate the antenna element away from the upper housing.

Shapes and configurations of the upper housing 11, the lower housing 12,the joint section 13, the second pins 14 and 44, the antenna sections15, 51, and 71, the upper circuit board 19, the communication section22, the third housings 25 and 52, the antenna elements 26 and 53, thefirst pins 28 and 42, the connector 56 and 72, the return spring 57, theconductive rail 74, and the conductive roller 75, all of which areexemplified in the embodiments, are not limited to those mentioned aboveand can be changed as necessary.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is suitable for being applied to a portableterminal that has an antenna connected to a communication section andthat has a first state and a second state by moving a first housing anda second housing.

1. A portable terminal comprising: a first housing; a second housingjoined to the first housing through a joint section, a first state inwhich the first housing and the second housing are piled one on top ofthe other and a second state in which the first housing and the secondhousing are separated from each other being achieved by relativelymoving the first housing and the second housing through the jointsection; and a third housing that is joined to the second housing andthat houses an antenna, wherein the first housing contacts the thirdhousing in the second state, whereby the third housing moves in adirection away from the first housing.
 2. The portable terminalaccording to claim 1, wherein the third housing is turnably joined tothe second housing.
 3. The portable terminal according to claim 2,wherein the joint section has a first pin orthogonal to a direction inwhich the first housing and the second housing in the first state arepiled one on top of the other; the third housing is joined to the secondhousing through a second pin; and the first pin and the second pin areparallel to each other.
 4. The portable terminal according to claim 3,wherein the first pin and the second pin are arranged in line with eachother.
 5. The portable terminal according to claim 2, wherein the jointsection has a first pin orthogonal to a direction in which the firsthousing and the second housing in the first state are piled one on topof the other; and the third housing is joined to the second housingthrough the first pin.
 6. The portable terminal according to claim 1,wherein the third housing is joined to the second housing so as to beslidable.
 7. The portable terminal according to claim 6, furthercomprising: a connector for electrically connecting the second housingto the antenna, wherein the connector follows movement of the thirdhousing with respect to the second housing.
 8. The portable terminalaccording to claim 7, wherein the connector has an elastic member thatexhibits conductivity.
 9. The portable terminal according to claim 7,wherein the connector has a conductive rail provided on either thesecond housing or the third housing and a conductive rolling member thatrolls over the conductive rail.
 10. The portable terminal according toclaim 1, further comprising: a return spring that restores the thirdhousing to a initial position thereof in the first state with respect tothe second housing.
 11. A portable terminal comprising: a first housing;a second housing joined to the first housing through a joint section, afirst state in which the first housing and the second housing are piledone on top of the other and a second state in which the first housingand the second housing are separated from each other being achieved byrelatively moving the first housing and the second housing through thejoint section; and a third housing that is joined to the second housingand that houses an antenna, wherein the third housing is movable withrespect to the second housing and arranged so as to form a step withregard to an outwardly-facing back side of the second housing.
 12. Aportable terminal comprising: a first housing; a second housing joinedto the first housing through a joint section, a first state in which thefirst housing and the second housing are piled one on top of the otherand a second state in which the first housing and the second housing areseparated from each other being achieved by relatively moving the firsthousing and the second housing through the joint section; and a thirdhousing that is joined to the second housing and that houses an antenna,wherein the third housing is movable with respect to the second housing,and a relative position of the third housing with regard to the secondhousing is restricted.